COACH RESIGNS AMID INVESTIGATION — The Bridgeport High School athletic department is searching for a new boys soccer coach following the resignation of former coach JD Bales amid an ongoing investigation. During the Bridgeport ISD school board meeting Monday, the board of trustees accepted Bales’ resignation, which was originally submitted last week. In a statement from the district obtained by the Messenger, the district said it had been investigating “allegations of misconduct regarding the use of district funds.” “[Bales] resigned from both his coaching position and his role as a [special education] teacher at Bridgeport Middle School [Friday] morning,” the statement read. “Superintendent Dr. Amy Ellis confirmed that the decision to accept the resignation is in the best interest of Bridgeport ISD and the athletic program.” The investigation follows alleged hazing issues within the soccer program that led to the arrests of multiple Bridgeport student athletes earlier this year. During the 2023 playoffs, the Bridgeport Police Department and BISD Bulls soccer program was being investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department and Bridgeport ISD. In May, six students were arrested on the Class B misdemeanor charge of personal hazing. Jail records show all were released on personal recognizance bonds. Read More